INFORMATION FOR ENTERING HUNGARY

General information for entering Hungary

From 21 December 2007 Hungary is a member of the Schengen Area, and applies the Schengen legislation in full. From 21 December 2007 24 states, 22 of the 27 member states of the Europian Union (these are the following: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) as well as Norway and Iceland are foreseen to be part of the Schengen Area. Whereas several members of the European Union, i.e. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania and the United Kingdom still do not participate in the Schengen cooperation.

Significant changes subsequent to Hungary’s Schengen-membership are that

• visas and residence permits issued by one of the Schengen States are valid also for Hungary, and on the other hand
• visas issued by Hungarian representations abroad and residence permits issued by Hungarian national authorities are also valid for the entire Schengen Area.

The visa sticker, which looks the same for all Schengen States, bears the words "valid for Schengen States". Alphanumeric codes also indicate the country in which the visa was issued.

The Schengen visa and entry regulations are only applicable for a stay not exceeding 90 days. Rules for a long stay exceeding 90 days are laid down by the national law of the member states concerned.

Visa free entry

Citizens of the EU/EEA member states and of the following countries may travel to Hungary without a visa:

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong (the exemption applies only to holders of a “Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”), Iceland, Israel, Japan, Macao (the exemption applies only to holders of a “Regio Administrativa Especial de Macau” passport), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Salvador, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Stateless persons and refugees residing in the Member States, upon a travel ducument issued by the Member State concerned are entitled for a visa free entry. Member State means: Schengen states, countries acceeded the EU in May 2004 as well as Romania and Bulgaria.

In possession of a valid D+C visa issued by one of the Schengen states, within the first three month of the validity of the visa, the holder is entitled for a visa free entry. In possession of a D visa, the holder may only transit through Hungary to the issuing country without visa.

In possession of a valid residence permit and other documents listed in Annex 4 of the Common Consular Instructions, foreigners has the right for a visa free circulation within the Schengen Area not exceed 3 months in any 6 months.

According to bilateral visa agreements holders of diplomatic and service passports may be entitled for a visa free entry. Please check the website of the MFA (www. kulugyminiszterium.hu).

Visa free transit

Foreigners in possession of a valid residence permit issued by Switzerland or Liechtenstein may transit through Hungary without having a Hungarian transit visa or airport transit visa. Same rules apply for holders of a valid visa issued before 20 December 2007 by one of those countries that joined the Schengen Area as from 21 December 2007. The validity of the visa or residence permit substitutes the Hungarian transit visa shall cover the duration of transit.

The duration of visa free transit cannot exceed 5 days.

Transit means entering from country X to Hungary and leaving Hungary to county Y (coming from Austria to Ukraine via Hungary).

Entry conditions for foreigners under visa obligation for up to 90 days

Please note, that a visa is only a preliminary permission for entry, which does not authorise its bearer automatically to enter the country. The traveller may be requested to provide proof of the existence of the conditions of his entry and stay in Hungary and, if he is not able to fulfil this, he may be returned from the border.
 
Basic rules for the issuance of Schengen visas

Types of Schengen visas

• Airport transit visa (A): authorises the bearer to enter the international zone of the airport and to remain there until the time of the departure of the flight to the destination country. Only nationals of the following states are obliged to apply for an airport transit visa: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Transit visa (B): authorises the bearer to a single, double or multiple transits, not exceeding 5 days at a time.
• Short stay visa (C): authorises the bearer to a single, double or multiple entries and, in case of an uninterrupted stay, to a stay of maximum 90 days, while in case of an interrupted stay, to a stay of altogether maximum 90 days within the 6 months counted from the date of the first entry.

Attention! In case you have to transfer in Ferihegy 1 Airport or your flight arrives to Ferihegy 1 and your transfer flight departs from Ferihegy 2 (and vice versa), being in possession of a transit visa is necessary.

Where to submit a visa application?

Schengen visa applications have to be submitted at the representation of the country which is the main destination of the visit. (In case of visiting several states with stays of approximately the same duration the consulate responsible for issuing the visa is that of the country of first entry into the Schengen area.)
Thus, according to the above described Schengen regulations applicants having Hungary as the main destination, or the country of first entry in case of a trip stretching through several Schengen Member States can submit their visa applications at the Hungarian representations.

Practical example: If you wish to travel around Europe for three weeks, spending two weeks in Austria and one in Hungary, you should go to the Austrian consulate.

It is sometimes difficult to determine the main destination, for example where the traveller intends to make several consecutive short stays of approximately the same length in various Schengen States. In this case, you should go to the consulate of the first country you intend to visit.

Practical example: A businessman plans a trip to Europe to meet business partners in various European capitals, in each of which he will stay for one or two days. He has booked a trip to Frankfurt, from which he will continue on his journey. In this case, the appropriate consulate is the German consulate.

As from 21 December 2007 the Consular Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in Tirana represents the Republic of Slovenia in visa procedures of Albanian citizens applying for a Slovenian visa.

According to the Schengen rules border posts do normally not issue visas, except for family members of EEA citizens and under extraordinary circumstances for other third country nationals (e.g. entry with a purpose of attending the funeral service of a deceased family member, when it can be proved that there has not been any possibility to apply for a visa beforehand).

 
Who can submit a visa application?

The general rule is that the foreign representation has the competence to process the applications of the following persons:

• Nationals of Albania
• Persons staying in Albania legitimately and continuously
• Persons with no Hungarian foreign representation in their country.

The persons listed above can submit a visa application in the following ways:

• The client can submit personally his own or his family member’s visa application
• In case of organised tourist trips, an accredited travel agency may submit the visa application
• In case of group travel, the application may be submitted by a representative sufficiently authorised.

Attention!

• The above listed exceptions to the obligation to submit the application personally, however, does not exclude the eventuality that the consul, if he deems it necessary, may call upon the applicants to present themselves personally.
• The authorisation is only valid for submitting the application and for collecting the visa issued, however the application form has to be signed by every traveller personally.
• In countries with a vast territory or where there is no Hungarian foreign representation competent to issue visas or where Hungary is not represented by another Schengen Member State, the honorary consuls are also entitled to receive visa applications with the purpose of transferring them to the competent Hungarian consulate.
• Consulate may receive visa applications at the earliest 3 months before the beginning of the visit.

The documents needed for visa applications

I. General requirements:

• a valid passport the validity of which has to exceed that of the requested visa by at least 3 months;
• 1 passport-size colour photo (not older than 6 months);
• a wholly and legibly completed, signed application form:
• The application form may be acquired free of charge at the consular departments of the foreign representations or downloaded from the website of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.kulugyminiszterium.hu/). Schengen application forms are uniform therefore any application form used by any of the Schengen Member States can be used for applying for a Hungarian visa.
• a travel medical insurance (a travel insurance providing cover for at least 30000 € for financing urgent health services and homeward transportation due to medical reasons valid for the whole period of stay and for the territory of every Schengen State);
• a certificate proving lawful stay, if the applicant is not a citizen of the receiving country.
• Besides meeting the above general requirements, the applicant shall also supply a certificate of the financial coverage of his/her expenses, and a certificate of the purpose of the visit.

The financial coverage of the expenses can be certified with one of the following documents:

• an original income certificate of the employer or
• a bank account statement on the account turnover during the last three months or
• a pension slip or
• a certificate of registration in the case of an individual entrepreneur or one-man firm or
• a valid ticket, a certificate of a reserved and prepaid journey, accommodation or
• in the case of minors, a declaration by the legal representative on the coverage of the costs and on the existence of the financial coverage or
• a letter of invitation issued and endorsed by the Office of Immigration and Nationality.

The purpose of the entry can be certified with the following documents:
When applying for a transit visa:

• a valid ticket certifying the purpose of the visit; or the document of a transport vehicle used and appropriately insured,
• a visa to the destination country, if necessary

.
Necessary documents when applying for a short stay visa (Albanian citizens):

a) for members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Albania, shall participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organisations:
– a letter issued by an Albanian authority confirming that the applicant is a member of the Albanian delegation travelling to the territory of the Member States to participate in the aforementioned events, accompanied by a copy of the official invitation;
b) for business people and representatives of business organisations:
– a written request from a host legal person or company, organisation, or an office or branch of such legal person or company, state or local authorities of the Member States or organising committees of trade and industrial exhibitions, conferences and symposia held in the territories of the Member States, endorsed by a Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Albania;
c) for journalists:
– a certificate or other document issued by a professional organisation proving that the person concerned is a qualified journalist and a document issued by his/her employer stating that the purpose of the journey is to carry out journalistic work;
d) for persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programmes:
– a written request from the host organisation to participate in those activities;
e) for representatives of civil society organisations when undertaking trips for the purposes of educational training, seminars, conferences, including in the framework of exchange programs:
– a written request issued by the host organisation, a confirmation that the person is representing the civil society organisation and the certificate on establishment of such organisation from the relevant Register issued by a state authority in accordance with the national legislation;
f) for pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programmes as well as other school-related activities:
– a written request or a certificate of enrolment from the host university, academy, institute, college or school or student cards or certificates of the courses to be attended;
g) for participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity:
– a written request from the host organization: competent authorities, national sport federations or National Olympic Committees of the Member States;
h) for participants in official exchange programs organized by twin cities:
– a written request of the Head of Administration/Mayor of these cities;
i) for close relatives – spouse, children (including adopted), parents (including custodians), grandparents and grandchildren, – visiting Albanian citizens legally residing in the territory of the Member States:
– a written request from the host person;
j) for visiting military and civil burial grounds:
– an official document confirming the existence and preservation of the grave as well as family or other relationship between the applicant and the buried;
k) for persons politically persecuted during the communist regime in the Republic of Albania:
– the certificate issued by the Institute for the Integration of the Persecuted Persons in accordance with Article 3 of Law no 7748 of 29.07.1993, indicating the status of being a person politically persecuted during the communist regime in the Republic of Albania and a letter of invitation from a competent authority, national or international organization including NGO of a Member State or by a European institution for participating in activities as appropriate including activities related to their status;
l) for drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Albania:
– a written request from the national association (union) of carriers of the Republic of Albania providing for international road transportation, stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips;
m) for persons travelling for tourism:
– a certificate or voucher from a travel agency or a tour operator accredited by Member States in the framework of the local consular cooperation confirming the booking of an organized trip;
n) for persons visiting for medical reasons and necessary accompanying persons:
– an official document of the medical institution confirming necessity of medical care in this institution, the necessity of being accompanied, and proof of sufficient financial means to pay for the medical treatment;
o) for members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States:
– a written request from the host organization confirming that the person concerned is participating in the event;
p) for members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews in international trains, travelling to the territories of the Member States:
– a written request from the competent railway company of the Republic of Albania stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips;
q) for persons visiting for burial ceremonies:
– an official document confirming the fact of death as well as confirmation of the family or other relationship between the applicant and the buried;
r) for representatives of the religious communities:
– a written request from a religious community registered in the Republic of Albania, stating the purpose, duration and frequency of the trips.

The written request mentioned above shall contain the following items:
a) for the invited person – name and surname, date of birth, sex, citizenship, number of the identity document, time and purpose of the journey, number of entries and where relevant the name of the spouse and children accompanying the invited person;
b) for the inviting person – name, surname and address; or
c) for the inviting legal person, company or organisation – full name and address and
– if the request is issued by an organisation, the name and position of the person who signs the request,
– if the inviting person is a legal person or company or an office or a branch of such legal person or company established in the territory of a Member State, the registration number as required by the national law of the Member State concerned.

Visa fees

• Application for an airport transit visa (A), transit visa (B) or short-term entry visa (C) 35 EUR
• Application for extended-stay visa for the purpose of seasonal work 40 EUR

 
General exemptions from the visa fees

• family members of EEA citizens:      free of charge
• members of children’s groups consisting of more than 5 children  free of charge

Further exemptions from the visa fees

a) close relatives – spouses, children (including adopted), parents (including custodians), grandparents and grandchildren of Albanian citizens legally residing in the territory of the Member States;
b) members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Republic of Albania, shall participate in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programmes, as well as in events held in the territory of the Member States by intergovernmental organisations;
c) members of the Council of Ministers, Parliament, Constitutional Court and Supreme Court, if they are not exempted from the visa requirement by the present Agreement;
d) pupils, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purpose of study or educational training;
e) children under 6 years of age;
f) disabled persons and the person accompanying them, if necessary;
g) persons who have presented documents proving the necessity of their travel on humanitarian grounds, including to receive urgent medical treatment and the person accompanying such person, or to attend a funeral of a close relative, or to visit a seriously ill close relative;
h) participants in international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity;
i) persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities including university and other exchange programmes;
j) participants in official exchange programmes organised by twin cities;
k) politically persecuted persons during the communist regime;
l) pensioners;
m) representatives of civil society organisations travelling to attend meetings, seminars, exchange programs or training courses;
n) journalists;
o) representatives of religious communities registered in the Republic of Albania;
p) drivers conducting international cargo and passenger transportation services to the territories of the Member States in vehicles registered in the Republic of Albania;
q) members of train, refrigerator and locomotive crews in international trains, travelling to the territories of the Member States;
r) members of the professions participating in international exhibitions, conferences, symposia, seminars or other similar events held in the territory of the Member States.

 Attention!

• The visa fee shall be paid when the application is submitted.
• The consulate does not charge any further fees other than the above for issuing a visa.
• If the application for a visa is refused, the fee will not reimbursed.
• The fee shall be paid in EURO.
• The consulate can only accept payments by bank transfer

Decision making upon visa applications

Decision upon visa applications falls within the competence of the consuls, neither Hungarian nor local administrators may take decisions on applications.
In order to check visa applications the consul

• consults in every case the entry ban list (SIS)
• inspects former visas issued to the applicant
• is liable to consult with competent authorities of other Member States in particular cases
• may consult with the Office of Immigration and Nationality and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• may consult with foreign representations of other Schengen States
• may request an interview with the applicant
• may request the presentation of further documents or certificates in addition to the ones already attached to the application.

According to law decision upon the visa application must not exceed 30 days.

Rejection of the visa application

In case of entry ban or doubts concerning the application the consulate will refuse the visa application. Presentation of counterfeit documents is a reason for refusal in itself.
Notification on the reason for refusal can be obtained at the consulate only by the applicant in person. At the applicant’s request the notification can be issued in written form as well.
In case of refusal the consulate will not reimburse the visa fee.
There is no legal remedy against the rejection of an application, however, a complaint concerning the procedure can be lodged. Complaints will be examined in the first instance by the head of the consulate, in the second instance by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In case of refusal a new application may be submitted at any time. In case of a new application the visa fee has to be paid again.

 
Crossing the external borders

The Community Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (published in OJ L 105 of 13 April 2006) sets out the conditions for entry into the territory of the Member States. Holding a valid passport and visa (in the case of citizens of third countries where a visa is needed) are only two of the conditions of entry.

The conditions of entry are initially checked by the consulates which examine visa applications. The issuing of a visa presupposes that the consulate considered that the conditions of entry were fulfilled at the time the visa was granted.

The conditions of entry are checked a second time when the person presents themselves at the external border (land, sea or airport) of the Member States. If the border police decide that a person holding a visa does not fulfil the conditions of entry (for example: the person does not have the necessary means of subsistence for the duration of their stay), they will be refused entry, even if they have a visa in their passport.

Attention! Visa holders should carry with them supporting documents to demonstrate that they fulfil the conditions of entry, so that they can present them if need be during the checks at the EU border.

 
Entry for long stay (exceeding 90 days)

Regulations on a stay exceeding 90 days fall within the competence of national authorities, therefore there is no uniform routine among the Schengen Member States. Foreign nationals requesting to entry Hungary with a purpose of a long stay may submit a residence permit application. In case of successful application, s/he will get a visa authorizing him/her to a single entry for receiving a residence permit and to stay for maximum 30 days in Hungary. The decision on the residence permit falls within the scope of the regional directorates of the Office for Immigration.

Attention! Family members of EU/EEA nationals with the right of free movement may enter Hungary with a short-stay (C), even they intend to stay in Hungary more than 90 days. In such cases, within 93 days from the entry, the family mamber shall apply for a residence card from the regional directorate of the Office for Immigration.

Attention! Foreigners have been staying already in Hungary can submit their applications for a residence permit directly at the regional directorate of the OIN, if

• the applicant can prove the exceptional reasons of the request, among others, family reunification or medical treatment,
• the purpose of stay is research,
• if the applicant concerned is a national of one of the countries listed on Annex II of Council Regulation EC no 539/2001 (visa free countries).

Supporting documents

• Valid passport (the validity of which has to exceed that of the requested visa by at least 3 months);
• 1 passport-size colour photo (not older than 6 months);
• a wholly and legibly completed, signed “residence permit” application form (can be downloaded from the website of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.kulugyminiszterium.hu/);
• supporting documents of the purpose of stay;
• supporting documents of the accommodation;
• supporting documents of the subsistence;
• a health insurance.

Depending on the purpose of entry, the following documents are needed for the application for residence permit:

In case of a residence permit for the purpose of paid activity:

• a work permit,
• a contract of employment,
• a document certifying occupancy in Hungary, and
• a certificate on how the person will make a living until he receives his first salary (bank account statement, employer’s certificate that he will pay an advance to the person, etc.)
• or,
• a certificate on the character of the gainful activity (the articles of association),
• the resolution on the court registration of the enterprise,
• a document certifying occupancy in Hungary,
• a certificate on the acquisition of the qualification necessary for filling the position,
• a declaration, certificate on the (expected) yearly income,
• a certificate of the amount of money at the person’s disposal in Hungary,
• the simplified balance sheet of the previous year (for a firm already operating),
• a certificate that the firm has no public debt (for a firm already operating),
• if the firm has Hungarian employees: their employment contracts,
• in case of a new enterprise: a brief business plan.

In case of a residence permit for educational purposes:

• a certificate of school attendance,
• a document certifying occupancy in Hungary (the document certifying accommodation in a student hostel or the tenancy contract with a duplicate of the title deed), and
• the documents certifying subsistence in Hungary (bank account statement; or the declaration of the parents that they assume coverage of all costs of the stay in Hungary; or the document certifying the scholarship).
• Attestation of the school that the applicant is exempt from the payment of school fees or that he/she has already paid the tuition fees.

In case of a residence permit for family reunification:

• a document certifying occupancy in Hungary,
• a document certifying subsistence in Hungary,
• a marriage certificate / birth certificate, and
• a copy of the passport of the Hungarian relative.

In case of a residence permit for visit:

• an official letter of invitation countersigned by the OIN, or an invitation included in a notarial document,
• a certificate of the average income of the inviting party,
• a duplicate of the title deed, and
• a copy of the passport or the personal identification document of the inviting party.

In case of a residence permit for medical treatment:

• the name and address of the health institution providing the treatment,
• a certificate of the character and the expected duration of the medical treatment,
• a certificate of the financial coverage for the medical treatment and the stay in Hungary,
• the certification of occupancy in Hungary provided that the applicant does not stay in the medical institution,
• in case of a minor child or a family member in need of help: the certification of the accommodation and the subsistence of the accompanying person.

In case of a residence permit for research:

•  contract with an accredited research institute

In case of a residence permit for voluntary work:

•  contract with a Hungarian receiving institution, organisation (church, library, town hall, etc.)

Attention!

• The consul may request the presentation of further documents in addition to the ones outlined above.
• Documents shall be annexed to the applications being submitted in the original, if possible. If the client needs the original document later on, then a photocopy shall also be annexed besides presenting the original document.
• The consulate reserves the right to examine the authenticity of the communicated data and the submitted documents. The communication of false data in itself will lead to the refusal of the visa application.

The fee to be charged from the applicants is EUR 60. As a general rule, the regional directorate processes the application within 30 days. Then the purpose of residence is studí or research the directorates shall make the decision within 15 days.

In case of refusal, the client may lodge an appeal within 5 days from the notification. The appeal shall be submitted directly to the processing regional directorate of the OIN.

Records of data, data protection

According to Article 95 of the Act on entry and stay of third country nationals (No. II. of 2007) the Office for Immigration and Naturalization (OIN) as well as the consulate authority shall manage the following data of foreign nationals, based on visa applications and on visas issued:

• natural particulars of identification;
• nationality (stateless status);
• photograph and passport data;
• the purpose of entry and the planned duration of stay;
• copies of documents verifying fulfilment of the requirements for entry and stay, or the data referring thereto;
• the rejection of visa and the reasons, if applicable;
• the number and series, and the period and territory of validity of the visa issued;
• the date and place of entry and exit;
• registered place of accommodation.

The consulate may disclose data from its register to law enforcement and criminal investigation agencies, the national security agencies and the refugee authority, to agencies specified by law or international agreement within the type of specific information defined therein, furthermore to Schengen / EU consulates in the jurisdiction.

If requested by the applicant, the OIN, and the consulate within its jurisdiction shall provide information regarding his data on record, unless the Aliens Act prohibits the disclosure of such data. If the consulate determines, whether by the initiative of the applicant or ex officio, that any particular data on record is incorrect or has changed, it takes prompt measures to have such incorrect data corrected or removed from the records, whichever is appropriate.

 
Photo requirements for visa applications

One photo is required. The photo must be:

• no more than six months old,
• in colour,
• sized as for licences (35-40 mm wide),
• sharp, clear and of good quality,
• full-face (showing the entire head and the top of the shoulders),
• taken in front of a light background,
• without a head-dress, except for religious reasons,
• taken directly from the front.

Glasses are permitted, provided that that the eyes remain clearly visible and there is no reflection in the lenses.

Head-dress is permitted only for religious reasons, provided that all facial details are still clearly visible and the head-dress does not cast any shadow over the face.

The photograph for visas must satisfy the requirements listed above. If those are not met, the applicant will be asked to present new photo that satisfies the requirements.

Examples of acceptable photos:

Examples of non-acceptable photos:

disturbing background                            shadow over the face                    hair covers half the face